Well cementing apparatus



Mrch 4,1947.

c. M. OLEARY 2,416,842

vWELT.' CEMENTING APPARATUS original Filed June 8, 194C) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 (y INS/Emo? A BY @Lea/ '47,

ATTORNEY March 4, 1947.

. v C. M. OLEARYV' WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS v original FiledJune 8, V1940 INVENTO (1M. OLedr' BY @5% ATTORNEY' sheets-sheet 2 March 4, 1947. C, M, OLEARY 2,416,842

WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS original Filed June 8, 19.40 4 'sheets-sheet 3 `INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 4, 1947. .Q Ml QLEARY 2,416,842

WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS l' Original Eil'ed June 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvNTo C'Jl. Lear'y ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1947 2,416,842 WELL CEMENTING. APPARATUS,

Charles M. OLeary, Houston, Tex., assignor t9.

Herbert,l C. Otis, Dallas, Tex.

substituted for abandoned application Serial N o. 339,483, June 8, 1940. This. application July 1 1941, Serial No. 400,642

(c1. iet-1 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in well cementing apparatuses.

One object of the invention is to provide animproved well cementing apparatus includingl a member having a passage therethrough with back pressure means for closing oil said passage and means for selectively anchoring and packing off said member in a well, together with a cementing tube adapted to be inserted and withdrawn from said member and self closing means on the lower end of the member arranged to be opened by the cementing tube, whereby the lower end of the passage is closed when the tube is withdrawn.

Another object ofl the invention is to provide an improved Well cementing apparatus including an anchoring and packing member adapted ,to be located in a well and carrying an elastic .self closing boot at its lower end; together with acementing tube arranged to pass through the packing in said member, as well as, through said boot, whereby said boot closes when the tube is withdrawn.

A construction designed to carry out the inven-v tion will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specication and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the anchoring mechanism set in the casing with its pendant cementing valve assembly.

Figure 2 is a similar view through the cementing valve assembly showingthe cementing tube in preliminary Washing or cementing position.

Figure Slis another'similar View Showing the anchoring mechanism, cementing valve assembly and cementing tube with the latter partially retracted as in applying pressure to the cement.

Figure 4 is still another similar view showing the parts of Figure 3 in position to cleanse the cementing valve assembly and anchoring mechanism for placing them in conditionfor subsequent retrieval.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail section through a portion of the cementing valve assembly illustrating a slight modication.

Figure '7 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the retriever in'position in connection lwith the anchoring mechanism ready for withirawel iherefrom.

AFigure 8 is a side, elevation of the, retriever equipped for running in of the cementer;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view showing the use of a protecting device for the anchoring mechanisrn'where the latter and the cementing valvefassembly are utilized asfa'casing plug o r` bridge. T i

Figure 10 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, of a modiiied'retriever`ior run in oli-well tubing or drill pipe, and l Figure'll is a sectional View through the anchoring mechanism 'in place 'with' a backpre'ssure valve where it isused as a casing bridge yo r plug only,`and"" Figure 12 is a-detail sectional view showingV a slight modification of the protector plug'of Figure 9.

Referring now to the above described drawings, the invention contemplates the 'use of a retrievable means functioning in a manner permitting use thereof Vas a cement retainer aitera cementiing operation, and utilizable as a casing plug or bridge in a later cementing operation thereabove, and adaptable to maintenance in and throughout such uses in a condition permitting retrieving and removal thereof as a unit.

In Figure 2 in particular of the drawings there is shown the lower portion of certain of the o.- operating parts of the invention in position for a cementing operation in the bore A o f the vwell below the lower end of the well casing 1 3, aneigngated tubular cementing point 20 being plainly shown depending from the cementing tulo@ 2! and of somewhat sreaterrexiernal diameter, the 1,1. latter to snugly, slida'bly intort the boro or al passage 22 of the boar 2,3 of the. cementing veli/ o assembly ihi'oiish Whioh the cementing ,iiiloe' .2i passes with Substantial Clearance For eos@ of desorioiion but not as a limitation upon the .slibj eci-I matter to be claimed herein the cementing valve assembly will be conside'relas all of that mechanism or structurev which flies kbelow Athe bfiihiiig 3i in Fie 1 'and iiio oohoriimoohanism will be that'mechanism or structure which lies above the bushing 3.4. as'shown'in 'thesanie gue.

' best seen in Figure 1, the body 23 of the cementing valve assembly has .Withinits'axial bore 22 pressure ringksf24 which 'cooperate-with the cementing point 2i) in a manner-to' e ctiyely `close' such bore to the upwaiidpassigof pressure when the said point is retracted ,upwardly'f th position shown iii Figure 2 ,to the' position ,ShDWn in Figurel 3. The valve body 2 3 alsoll san opstanding reduced neck portion .2 1;,1aving La Alower end of the neck portion 25. l l

Itwill be observed that the upper end of neck portion 25 within box 26 has a collar 25 so that the cementing valve assembly as a whole is thus supported by the box in a manner which admits of limited upward movement thereof in the run in position with respect to the box for a purpose which will be presently explained.

It is plain that, as viewed in Figure 1, if the cementing valve assembly is forced upwardly with respect to the connecting box 26 from which it normally hangs, packing 21 will be longitudinally compressed and forced by lateral expansion into tight sealing engagement with the inner surface of the well casing B as seen in Figure 3.

At the lower end of the body 23 is an upwardly seating, spring controlled flap valve 28, normally seated by its spring 29 across the lower end oi'` the bore 22 to effectively close the latter against the upward passageof pressure after withdrawal of the cementing point 2U above the valve as ,seen in Figure V4. It will be noted at this time that in lowering the cementing point 20 preparatory to a washing and cementing operation, it opens valve 28 downwardly and no matter how far the said point is passed below the cementing valve assembly, said Valve 28 is maintained in open position bythe cementing tube 2|. This is plainly seen in Figure 2. Y

Secured to the body 23 around its lower end is a hollow depending boot support or form 30, open at both ends within a cylindrical flexible, elastic boot 3| which extends at its upper end around the body 23 and has an inturned flange 32 engaged between the upper shoulder of the body 23 andthe packing 2l. The lower thickened end portion 33 of this bootextends across the lower open end of its support3|l and is radially slitted to open when the cementing point 2D and tube 2| are lowered through the same to allow free passage of iluid therethrough, as plainly seen in` Figures 2 and 5 and is adapted to close when the said point 20 is withdrawn upwardly as may be seenvin Figure 4.

Referring again to Figure 1, the cementing valve assembly and its above described parts are supported at the lower end of the anchoring mechanism by virtue of the connection 'Y of the top ofthe box 26 securely on the lower end of the around the mandrel beneath the collar 36, having an annular series of slips S'Ihaving spring supporting arms upstanding from said collar around the mandrel and in engagement with a downwardly tapering slip expander 38 which seats at its lower end on an external shoulder 39 of the mandrel. l

The upper end of mandrel 34 is threaded intol a coupling 43, and supports a surrounding packing 4| thereon between said coupling and the upper larger end of the expander 38, which packing may be compressed longitudinally, and in this way` expanded laterally into sealing contact with the casing B when the mandrel is forced downwardly through expander 38 after the slips 31 have'been end of the jar lsleeve collar 3|. 63 has an axially depending reduced pilot stem 4 set to hold the said expander against downward movement.

The coupling 45 has a series of radial openings 42 through its wall extending from its bore which coincides with the bore of the mandrel 34 below the same, and also with the bore of the tubular mandrel extension 43 secured to and extending above the coupling in line with the mandrel 34. The coupling 48 also has an annular series of spring supporting arms upstanding` therefrom and carrying slips 44 seated around thelower downwardly tapering or expander portion 45 0f an upper tubular barrel 4B which is slidable lengthwise of the mandrel extension 43.

It will be noted that the mandrel extension 43 has openings 4l radially through its wall immediately above the coupling 48 and also similar openings 48 adjacent to its upper end, below its head 49 which latter is engageable with an internal upwardly facing shoulder 5.5 of the barrel 46 so as to limit upward movement of the latter with respect to the mandrel extension.

For the purpose of allowing cooperation of the retrieving means, to be presently described, with the barrel, the latter as best seen in Figure 7 has an annular groove 5| in its internal surface at a point spaced a short distance from its upper end which latter is conically counterbored as at 52. The groove 5| forms at its ends annular shoulders of which the upper downwardly facing shoulder is indicated at 53, and the lower shoulder at 53. Y

All of the above described assembly including the anchoring mechanism with its slips 31 for holding against downward displacement and its packing 4| and slips 44 for holding against upn Ward displacement, as well as the oementing valve assembly carried as before described on the lower end of the anchoring mechanism, may be lowered into Vthe casing B on a wire line 54 by virtue of a retriever shown in Figures 'l and 8, to the upper end of the upper lowering stem 55 of which the line 54 is connected.

The lowering stem 55 is slidable through the collar 55 xed on the upper end of a slotted jar sleeve 51 and has a head 58 at its lower inner end opposing a similar head 59 on the upper end of a lower clutch stem 6D which is slidable through a collar 5| xed on the lower end of the sleeve 57. It will be understood that collar 56 limits upward movement of the headr58 of the lowering stem and collar El limits downward movement of head 59 and that the relative lengths of these parts are such that when the clutch stem 58 is in engaged relation 'with the anchoring member, collar 6| on the lowerend of sleeve 5l may be lowered into contact with the upper end of the barrel 46 as in Figure 7 and the stem 55 may be lowered to a point where its head .58 will engage the clutch stem head 59 as shown in the same gure. Y

The clutch stem S8 has a lower reduced shank 52 terminating at its lower end in a spear head 63 and forming at its upper end a downwardly facing annular shoulder 54 which, in the lowering position of the retriever parts as seen in Figure 8, is positioned some distance Vbelow the'lower The spear head 65 detachably connected thereto and preferably in the nature of a hollow perforate tube, and said stem is of a length sufficient to extend downwardly through the anchoring mechanism and cementingvvalve assembly, when the spear head is in the upper portion of the barrel 46 'asin Figure 7, to press flap valve 28 downwardly to open position as well as open boot end 33 sothat the stem 65 may be lowered into-iuid in the casing B without trouble. l

Normally loosely disposed on and around the shank 62 of the clutch stem 66 is a clutch sleeve 66 shiftable lengthwise thereof above the spear head and provided with upper and lower annular series of clutch balls 61 and 68 disposed in conical wall openings which permit the-balls to obtrude beyond the external surface of the sleeve. and into the barrel groove At its upper end, sleeve 66 has an annular series of upstandinginwardly inclined spring fingers 69 grouped loosely around the shank 62 of the clutchl stem' 60 and adapted to snugly frictionally grip-the latter above' shoulder 64 when the said stem is forced downwardly into the clutch sleeve beyond its normal clutched position as hereinafter seen.

Within the sleeve 66, the shank 62 has -upperY and lower annular grooves 1|] and- 1I, forming between them an annular rib 12- which, when opposite to either of the series of balls" 61 and 68, serves to hold such selies in outer clutched position, permitting the other series to retract or move inwardly to unclutched position in one of the grooves 18, 1|.

Thus with the clutch sleeve 66 loosely supported on the shank 62, the spear head 63 pre'- ceded by its pilot stem 65 may be extended into the barrel 46, with the annular rib 12 of the shank opposite the upper balls 61 and the lower portion of sleeve 66 resting on the spear head 63. When sleeve 66 enters the barrel to a point where the upper balls cannot pass the barrel end, further inward movement of said sleeve isl arrested until the shank 62 has been moved inwardly with respect thereto suciently to shift its rib,12 downwardly beyond the balls 61, thus permitting 1 the latter to move into the shank groove 10 whereupon the sleeve may continue itsmovement into the barrel to fully clutched position from which it cannot be Withdrawn as-long as thev sleeve 66 is loose on the shank 62.l

With the retriever thus coupled to the anchoring mechanism, the retriever, anchoring mechanism, and cementing valve assembly all as a unit may be lowered on the line 54 into the casing and downwardly to the point at which it is desired to effectuate the cementing operation as, for instance, adjacent to the lowerY end of the casing B for cementing the formation in the well bore A as indicated in Figure 2. Bear in mind that during the run in the pilot stem 65 ofthe retriever extends downwardly through the anchoring mechanism and cementing valve assembly and holds the flap valve 28 open so that no difliculty will be encountered in the run in because of fluid in the well bore and casing.

When lowering the above assembly into a well, it is to be understood that slips 31 are positioned at the lower end of the expander 38, the spring arms 31a, by which these slips are supported in upstanding relation on collar 36, being preferably integral at their lower ends with said collar and being tensioned to urge the group of slips inwardly against the smaller end of the expander and away from the well casing B. It is also to be understood that in its position of the parts, the collar 36 is oatingly supported on' spring 35, with the latter partially compressed by reason of the weight of the collar and the group 'of slips 31. At this time the upper tubular barrel 46 is in its upper position and the upper slips 44, supported `on short powerful spring arms 44a, ,preferably i integral with, and upstanding from, thecuplingl 40, are held olosly grouped around the lower smaller end ofthe lower tapering portion 45 of the barrel 46, and thus in a position spaced inwardly from the well casing B.

With the parts in the above described initial position, the assembly is lowered into thewell casing in a steady movement, to thus avoid yany tendency toward substantial vertical vibration of the collar 36 on its partially compressed supporting spring 35 above the bushing 34. f

When, however, the point has been reached, in the run in of the assembly, at which it is desired to set the anchoring mechanism, the lowering movement is accelerated and then suddenly stopped, or after a pause in the steady lowering movement, the assembly may be raised slightly and then suddenly lowered and similarly checked. In either event accelerated lowering movement and sudden stopping of the assembly results in causing the collar 36 and its slips 31 to move forcibly, downwardly by inertia toward the bushing 34' so that the supporting spring 35 is further, and substantially fully, compressed. In the immediately following reaction, the expansion of spring 35 shifts the collar 36 and its slips 31 forcibly, upwardly to a point where the slips 31, riding upwardly on the tapering surface ofthe expander 38, are spread laterally into gripping engagement with the inner surface of the wall of casing B, to thus lock the anchoring mechanism and cementing valve assembly against further downward movement. At the same -time the supporting and lowering line 54 is slacked 01T so that vthe weight of the assembly is effective -to hold the slips 31 in casing gripping position.

At this time the several parts of the retriever are extended as shown in Figure 8 and the upper slips 44 are closely grouped under control of their spring arms 44a, around the lower end of the lower tapering expander portion 45 of the barrel 46. As soon as the slips 31 are set, further lowerf ing of the line 54 permits the relatively movable jar sleeve 51 to be dropped so that its lower collar 6I seats on the upper end of the barrel 46 and the head 58 of lowering stem 55 engages the upper head 59 of clutch stem 60, as shown in Figure .7. Then by alternate upward and downward movements of the line 54, under control from the surface, the clutch stem 6l] may be hammered or spudded downwardly. During the initial downward movement of the clutch stem 60, connected to barrel 46 through clutch sleeve 66, the said barrel is shifted downwardly on the mandrel ex'- tension 43 a short distance suiiicient to permit its tapering lower portion 45 to expand the upper slips 44 into engagement with the inner surface of the casing B, to thus lock the assembly against subsequent upward displacement under well pressure. It is to be understood, however, thatwhen so engaged, the slips can further move in a downward direction due to the upward inclination of their teeth. Following the slight initial downward movement of the barrel 46 on mandrel extension 43, the lower spear head 63 of the clutch stem 60 engages the upper head 49 of mandrel extension 43, and in the further downward spudding of the clutch stem 60, the mandrel extension 43, coupling 40, slips 44, mandrel 34 and barrel, all move downwardly with respect to the packing 4I which is held against downward movement'by the expander 38 which is securely held at this time by the engaged slips 31. Thus the packing 4| will be'compressed immediately following the setting of the slips 44, and will be held com- 1 7 pressed until such time as the barrelV 46 is'shifted upwardly relative to the mandrel extension i3 to permit the slips to spring inwardly away from thewall of the casing B, t

It will be plain by reference to Figure 7 that the above setting of the anchoring mechanism inV place vwithin the casing B against movement longitudinally of the latter, that is, against either upward or downward movementY therein, leaves` the retriever in substantially the position of Figure 7, readyV for withdrawal, this being the next operation, preparatory to the introduction of the cementing tube and its point, since we now have the anchoring mechanism positioned in thev casing yas shown in Figure 1Y with the cementing valve assembly freely depending therefrom inthe casing. Figure 7 Vshows the shank v62 forced downwardly through clutch sleeve 66, restingV on shoulder 53.', until its rib 12 is opposite the lower balls'and its upstanding fingers 69 have been spread apart by shoulder 64' and are in snug frictional engagement with the clutch stem 60 above said shoulder. Y f

Thus upon raising the line 54 the retriever starts upward and in this movement the clutch sleeve B6 follows along with the clutch stem 60 Vuntil the upper balls 61 pass above the upper end of barrel 46 and the lower balls 68 engage the upper internal shoulder 53. At this point the sleeve is arrested and further upward movement of the clutch stem pulls its shank B2 upwardly through, and relative to, the clutchy sleeve 66, until itsrib 12 moves upwardly past the lower balls v|58 whereupon the latter are free to recede inwardly within groove 1| and thus permit the retriever to be drawn completely free of the anchoring mechanism with its parts in position to be lowered into effective engagement therewith at any time. f Y

yFollowing removal of the retriever from the set anchoring mechanism as above described, the cementing tube 2| is run in with -its elongated cementing point 20 passing downwardly through the anchoring mechanismV and through the cementing valve assembly for opening, and thereafter holding open, the flap valve 28 and the slitted end 33 of the boot 3|. It is obvious that in so doing circulation is fully established as shown by the arrows in Figure 2, which pictures the parts in the above position, for the thorough Washing of the well bore A and subsequent introduction of cement. 'e n Prior to extension of the cementing point 20 below the cementing valve assembly to establish circulation, it may be desirable to arrest the said point within the cementing valve assembly where it serves, in cooperation with the internal packing rings 2d to close the passage through' the packing. Then, by pressuredownwardly through the cementing tube 2| and point 2|l,`against the lower end of the body 23, the latter may be forced up# wardly with respect to the stationarily held anchor mandrel 34 and box 26 so that, by longitudinal compression of packing 21 between box 26 and body 23, said packing will be laterally expanded into tight .sealing engagement withv the inner surface of the casing B.

4| will be sealed olf against the encroachment of cement, duringthe subsequent cementing operation, around the lower portion of the anchoring mechanism including the hold down slips 31.

In order to insure that packing 21 will remain expanded and effective upon release of pressure, it may be desirable to provide the base of the box 26 with radial bores, around the reduced neck 25 ofthe body 23, as shown in the modification,

Figure ,6. VIn this case the said neck 25 will have Y series of ratchet teeth13 and in each of the above bores of the box base, a pin 14 will be pressed by a Spring V'I5 Ato engage a series of such teeth, so

that when the neck is forced by pressure upwardly into'box 2,6 from the position of Figures l and 2 to the position of Figure 3, it will be held against dropping back upon release of pressure.v Continued effectiveness ofl packing 21 is thus assured throughout the cementing operation, butV such as not to reach-the lower end of the casing B, the amount of cement may be Vcontrolled to bring this about or if such control is not feasible, the cementing tube and point 20 may be drawn upwardly or otherwise positioned so that the lower end of the point 20 is at the desired level and all cement above such point may be then circulated out either through the anchoring mechanism and cementing valve assembly or through the cementingV tube. In this way the ultimate upper level of cement may be'easily controlled.

Should the cement rise, in the cementing operation, around the boot 3| it can only pass upwardly to the packing 21 and even then washing fluid will be trapped around the boot and prevent eiective setting ofcement substantiallyY above the lower end of the said boot. However, cement may find its way upwardly into the cementing valve assembly and even into' the anchoring mechanism, although when, after the cementing operation has been completed and the cementing tube 2| and point 20 are drawn up to the position of Figure 3, with the point 20 in the cementing valvel assembly for the supply of pressure 'down the cementing tube 2| toforce the cement firmly into the formation, the tube and point may Vthe be elevated to the position of Figure 4,

During the last mentioned movement the lower slitted end 33 of boot 3| closes in as the lower end of the cementing point passes above the same so as to thus cut off the bulk of the cement entering the cementing valve assembly, and in this way leaving only thin llets of cement through the slits of the boot which need be subsequently broken away to withdrawn the anchoring mechanism and cementing valve assembly from the hole. It is thus apparent that .the boot 3|, in its thus acts, after flow of cement into the well has been stopped, as a shield Abetween that portion of 4the cement inthe well below the boot, and that portion of the cement within the bootV andy below the back pressure valve 28. Furthermore as the lower end of the cementing point 20 passes above the flap valve 28, the latter closes by the pressure below the same and upon further upward movement of the cementing point 2l) until its lower end is above the sealing rings 24, or in other words, to the position shown in Figure 4, it is obvious circulation is again established and all cement above flap valve 28 may be completely washed and circulated out of the cementin g valve assembly, and anchoring mechanism and the vulnerable portions of these parts above the packing 4I may be thoroughly cleansed by virtue of the openings 42 through the coupling 40 and the openings 4T land 48 through the mandrel extension 43. l

It should not be overlooked that the parts of my invention as positioned in either Figures 2, 3 or y4, readily lend themselves Ato reverse circulation by suitably packing oil the surface end of the cementing tube 2l, so that by circulating down the casing and up through the cementing tube cement can be circulated oi from all points above the lower end of thevcementing point 20 in any position of the latter where it does not seal the p assage through the body 23. Much saving of time can be eiiected in this way where the cementing operation is checked with a considerable amount of cement in the tube 2l, and this is highly'important 'in any instance where time is a factor.

After thorough clean-sing as above, the cementmg vtube 2| and point 20 are withdrawn above the anchoring mechanism and the latter and the cementing valve assembly remain as a cement retainer in the casing to hold the pressure on the cement Ybelow flap valve 28 until the cement sets.

It is also a feature of this invention that by using any easily retrievable means such as rubber protecting discs above the clean-sed anchoring mechanism, the well bore may be successively cemented off at various stagesror points thereabove through shot holes in the casing B, the anchoring mechanism and `cementing valve assembly 4being left as above described 'to serve as Va retainer for cement therebelow and a plug or 'bridge for cement thereabove at each point-so y cemented. Then after the'cement jobs have set it is only necessary to successively vdrill out the cement at the various stages vwithin the casing down to the rubber protectors of the next lowermost `*assembly and remove the rubbers and then retrieve the assembly.

1 have shown lsuch an arrangement as above described in Figure 9 where a rubber protecting plug 17 appears on topof the barrel v4.5, in an instance in which the anchoring mechanism and cementing valve assembly are utilized not only as a cement retainer fora cementing job below the same, but as a casing plug or bridge for a succeeding cementing job thereabove The protect- .ing ping l1 `is preferably formed with an insert j'l'B presenting a longitudinal bore "19 which permits r4ready insertion of the plug in place in -the -well pipe. The bore 19 is normally closed at its -top Jin'use by a flapvalve 8l) as in Figure 9 so that i subsequently drilled out the drill will remove valve -80,`1eaving the bore 1.9 open for a yiishing spear by which the ,plug l1 may be readily :with-drawn.

vvIt is to be understood, however, that instead .of

flap valve 80 ,as in Figure .9, a ball valve 89' may be used as -seenfin :Figure 12. lUpon withdrawal of :the yprotector .plug 'lgl the .anchoring mecha- 10 nism and cementing valve assembly as a unit are in condition for ready retrieving in the manner to be now described.

After the setting of the cement the anchoring mechanism yand cementing valve assembly as a unit, previously washed clean of cement and standing free thereof above the iiap valve `28,"is ready to be retrieved by lowering the retriever with its part-s in the position of Figure 8, as they were before assembled for the lowering of 'the apparatus in the rst instance, in the `manner previously described. This time, however, the pilot stem is detached from the spear head'63 and the latter enters the upper end of barrel -45 with clutch sleeve 6'6 resting thereon so that 4its lowerballs 68, receding in shank groove 'lL-freely pass into the barrel.

When the upper balls 61, which -at -this ltime are extended by reason of being opposite the shank rib y"l2, arrest downward movement ofthe clutch sleeve, by engagement with the v-upperend of barrel 48, the shank continues downwardly in, and with lrespect to, said sleeve until its rib 1-2 passes below the balls 6l -whereupon the latter can recede into `the shank groove 'l0 and thus permit .the .clutch sleeve to pass completely Vinto the barrel. y

The retriever will thus be fully engaged with the `anchoring mechanism and cannot be `with- `drawnas long as clutch sleeve 6B is loose on the lower reduced shank'62 of `the clutch stem v60, since in any upward movement of said stem, the shank will be first drawn upwardly through the sleeve until its rib .'12 is .opposite the ,upperballs El and the latter will therefore catch the internal `'shoulder 45,3 of the barrel.

After the retriever is thus lowered into, and

Aclutched with, the barrel46, upward movement of line 54 serves to initially raise said barrel, withdrawing vits tapering lower or expanding portion lcasing,and the lower Vexternal shoulderV -39 of `5o mandrel 34 engages the lower end of' the lower expanders and raises the latter from within the ylower slips 31,50 that these slips mayretractfroin the casing. At the same time the mandrelfraises box 26 and relieves pressure on the packing vr21 around the body 23 permitting this packing to loosen from the casing. Both sets of slips being thus permitted to retract, and both packings permitted to loosen, during steady upward movement of the retriever, the entireassembly is in condition -for withdrawal except `for the breakingfree of the lower portion of the cementing valve assembly if there is cement therein below the flap valve 28.

In case there is cement in the lower portion of the cementing valve assembly. it is but a matter of breaking the thin llets thereof vbetween the slits'of the 'boot end 33, and the jar included in the retriever maybe used as an effective means of accomplishing this purpose, as well'as'in the looseningv of any of the parts of 'the .anchoring mechanism -in case they tend to stick.

The entire assembly is then ready 'for' with- "drawal except for the possibility of sticking'of the 'boot j3l. As this is relatively softrubber, the body `2,3 may lbe pulled out ,ofV thesame since 1l pressure has been relieved on the boot holding ange 32. and the boot may be left in the casing as it presents no diiculties and may be lvery easily drilled up and circulated out.

In describing the foregoing operations considerable stress has been laid upon the particular construction of the anchoring mechanism and retriever wherebyY all of the running in and retrieving operations may be accomplished on a line, such as line 54. It must not be understood, however, that the use of a line is essential, because in some instances it may be more convenient to run Vthe retriever in n tubing, drill pipe or sucker rods. and for certain purposes it may be especially advantageous to run in on tubing vof drill pipe preparatory Vto retrieving afterL stage cementing in instances where sand may B0', shank 62' and spear head 63' are shown with an axial bore 8|, or in other words. are hollow. In this instance clutch stem B9' slides through packing 82 in the lower internally ,shouldered end 83 ofy a jar sleeve 84 attached at its upper end to tubing or drill `,pipe 85 in a manner presenting an upperV internal shoulder 8B. Theupper head 81 of stem 60' mav be engaged by either of the shoulders 83 and 8B and is preferably provided withV wall apertures inthe sleeve to prevent the entrapping of pressure between these parts in their relative movements. The clutch parts. including clutch sleeve |,.clutch balls 61 and 68 and spring fingers 69 may all be the same as previously described since the use of a hollow retriever, providing for the passage of cleaning fluid Vand pressure therethrough, in no way modies the previously described engaging and disengaging operations for run in and retrieving. Y

With the hollow retriever, however, after detachment of thepilot stem 65 from spear head 63', a short tubular stem 83 is attached .to said Spearhead to bev run into the mandrel extension 43. This stem 88, as also'shown'in Figure 10, may

Vhave a packing ring 89 th'erearound intermev diate its ends to snugly engage the internal sur face of mandrel extension 43 to'thus effectively establishY circulation through the openings 42 and 41 of coupling 40 and the mandrel extension for thoroughly cleaning-those portions of the Yanchoring mechanism above packing 4l, before the anchoring mechanism is released for removah 'Similarly the tubular stem 88 may be used if it is desired to clean the interior of the anchoring mechanism and circulate accumulated sand and cuttings from the casing. thereabove, by extending the said stem into the mandrel extension 43 without a packing ring 89 thereon. Forthis-purpose the upper end or head 49 of said' mandrel extension 43 may, as shown at the upper portion of Figure 11, have a packing 99 therearound sealing in a substantial manner against the inner surface of barrel 46. Likewise barrel 46 may have a packing ring 9| around the upper portion thereof to'substantially seal against the internal surface of casing B.VV Thus no sand or cuttings can fall between the barrel and the casing, and any packed sand or cuttings Vwithin the mandrel extension may be washed out prior to engagement of the `retriever with the anchoring mechanism'to thus v, avoid thedanger of further packing any accumulations'of sand and cuttings inthe latter.

' In the above manner the anchoring` mechanism be fixed in relation to, and run in with, the anchoring mechanism whereV the latter is used as a bridge, it being particularly noted that when so used, the protector plug adapts its valve 89 or Bil' to cooperate with the back pressure valve 29 irl-preventing pressure from passing into the anchoring mechanism from above and below the same.

Reference has also been plainly made to the use of the anchoring mechanism and cementing valve assembly as a plug or bridge for operations thereabove in stage cementing, by leaving the same in the casing as a cement retainer after a cementing operation below the same. In some instances it may be desirable to use the same as a plug or bridge for a cementing'operation thereabove where no cementing operation is contemplated therebelow and it is obvious that in such instances I may use only the anchoring mechanism itself as in Figure 11 down to and including the bushing 34' at the lower end of the mandrel 34, and utilize this bushing 34 to support a simple flap type of back pressure valve 28.. Thus the cementing Valve assembly" previously described withits packing 21 and the boot 3| may be eliminated since they are not necessary in this use as a mere plug or bridge, in whichV use the anchoring mechanism is to be protected from, the `cement thereabove bythe valved protector plug 110i Figures 9 and'12 as previously described. r

In thus providing a cementing apparatus capable of ready retrieval and of employment as a cement retainer and a casing plug. or bridge usable at various levels in a well, the presenty invention obviously effects great saving in time, trouble and waste of material and tools in connection with cementing operations, and is, in these respects an economical advance in the art; Moreover the invention effects a great saving in labor in avoiding the usual cleaning up and drilling out ofrextensive apparatus after each cementing-operation has been completed. Y v.

The present application, as to all features thereof, is a substitute for application Ser. No. 339,483, filed June 8, 1940, and which became abandoned April 16, 1941. Y f

Having thus fully described the invention, what y' well and having a passage lengthwise there- Y through, said assembly also having a back pres-Y sure valve for closing the passage thereof and packing means for sealing between the assembly and a well casing, a cementing tube movable freely through the assembly passage for engaging and holding' said valve open to establish circulation Y through said Passage, means carried by the assembly and the tube for closing the passage when said back pressure valve is closed, and cement cutoff means at the lower end of the assembly below and independent of the back pressure valve.

3. A well cementing apparatus including, a Well packer assembly adapted to be positioned in a Well and having a. passage lengthwise therethrough, a boot support carried by the assembly below the same having a lengthwise passage therethrough alined with the assembly passage, a cement tube movable through the passages of the assembly and the boot support, and an elastic boot depending from said support having a separable lower end for the passage of the tube therethrough which boot is self closing when said tube is retracted therefrom.

4. A well cementing apparatus including, a tubular body, a pair of spaced slip members surrounding said body, means carried by the body for expanding said slip members, an external packer carried by the body between the slip members, a tubular member carried by the lower end of the body, a back pressure valve hinged Within the tubular member, a boot on the lower end of the tubular member below the Valve, and a cement tube freely movable through the body and tubular member and also through the boot.

CHARLES M. OLEARY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,187,482 Baker Jan. 16, 1940l 2,189,703 Burt et al Feb. 6, 1940 1,920,103 Otis July 25,1933 1,938,955 Crowell Dec. 12, 1933 2,197,396 Maines Apr. 16, 1940 1,810,352 Humason June 16, 1931 1,897,985 Otis Feb. 14, 1933 2,101,640 Chonette et al Dec. 7, 1937 2,255,451 Otis Sept. 9,1941 2,144,850 Otis Jan. 24, 1939 2,323,085 Davis June 29, 1943 2,138,157 Halliburton Nov. 29, 1938 2,384,192 Otis et al Sept. 4, 1945 2.192.336

Thornhill Mar. 5. 1940 

